A few weeks back, Disney fans took note of the latest price hike announced for Disneyland and the adjacent Disney California Adventure. It’s an annual reality that prices will increase, of course, but the newest numbers (topping $200 for the highest-tier single-day single-park ticket) still feel awfully high. Inevitably, Florida’s Walt Disney World has followed suit, revealing higher prices for annual passes as well as tickets that are now on sale for the 2025 holiday season.
The Orlando Sentinel reports that Disney World has increased prices (to the tune of about 7%) on all four of its annual passes, ranging from the “Incredi-Pass,” now commanding an incredible $1,549 (previously $1,449), to the most affordable “Pixie Dust Pass,” now $469 (up from $439).
USA Today and other Disney news sources have also noted that in addition to those annual pass price increases, “newly released tickets for November and December 2025 hit new highs. Magic Kingdom tickets will top out at $199 on select dates next holiday season, $10 more than this year’s most expensive tickets.” As USA Today notes, the weeks around Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be “the most expensive time of the year” to visit the Florida Disney Parks, which clearly doesn’t make them any less popular of a destination.
This comes about a week after Disney Parks in the U.S. announced the “Lightning Lane Premiere Pass,” the latest offering designed to shorten wait times… for a price, of course. Last week, CNN reported the line-skipping pass would be available only in very limited quantities, which makes sense given its purpose, and the price will vary depending on which specific park it’s being used for.
As CNN explained, “The pass will be priced per person per day, based on date and demand. That can range from $137.39 to $478.19 (after tax) at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, available starting October 30. At Disneyland Resort in California, the pass will be $400 (not taxable) per person per day, available from October 23 through the end of 2024. Variable pricing will begin in 2025 based on date and demand, ranging from $300 to $400.”
Note that those hundreds of dollars for the Premiere Pass are on top of regular park admission, so you’ll be paying through the nose to maximize your theme park fun—if you can get your mitts on one in the first place. Also, not every attraction at the parks has a “Lightning Lane,” though the most popular rides generally do.
If you’re a Disney Parks fan, what do you make of all these price increases and expensive, experience-enhancing add-ons? Is it worth it to pay thousands of dollars for the privilege—or are you considering taking your next vacation somewhere, anywhere else instead?
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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